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Job seekers pursue adult education

Adult education students study in a class at the Career Center. Pictured, from left, are Destiny Johnson, Dean Drake, Eddie White, teacher Susan Bryant, Charles Webb and Amber Stafford.

Jim Herrin | Herald-Citizen

Posted
Friday, September 15, 2017 11:35 am

BY JIM HERRIN

Their stories are different, but their paths are converging.

Five Putnam County adults whose education was interrupted are now seeking to complete the requirements for a high school equivalency diploma.

For 26-year-old Amber Stafford, a chaotic personal life kept her from focusing on school.

"From 9th to 12th grade, I went to 31 high schools and was in 29 foster homes," she said. "I aged out of state custody, but I ended up getting pregnant at 18."

Having kids delayed any opportunity to continue her education, but Stafford said she's determined to better herself.

"I've got two kids and I just need to better myself for them," she said. "I hope to maybe be a nurse or go to cosmetology school."

Pregnancy was also an issue for 17-year-old Destiny Johnson.

"I got pregnant my freshman year of high school, so I completed my freshman year, but I didn't go back after I had my son," she said.

Destiny said her father told her about the adult education program.

"We only take 17-year-olds if the school system gives permission for us to work with them," said adult education teacher Susan Bryant, adding that Johnson should be able to complete the program quickly.

"Destiny is scheduled to take all of her tests at the end of this month," Bryant said. "We have students who come in and can get their high school equivalency in just a matter of two to three weeks. Others need more time. It's individually driven, student to student."

Johnson said she is determined to succeed.

"I have a little boy who is two, and I just want to be able to get my education and get a better job and provide him what he needs," she said.

Determination also drives Eddie White, 52, of Cookeville.

"I live in the housing projects, and I was needing to get a job," he said. "It's hard to get one without an education. They started a class up there in the housing project office and then moved it over here (to the Career Center) as more people joined up."

"Eddie will be here, rain or shine," said Bryant. "He walks to class. He comes to class every time the door is open. He's passed everything but his math, and he's going to take that test on Saturday."

Job possibilities also motivate Charles Webb, 45, of Cookeville.

"I'm needing a job," he said. "I haven't been unemployed for 25 years, but now I am and I have to have my GED to get a good job."

20-year-old Dean Drake agreed.

"I dropped out of school due to severe mental health problems, (but) I still worked at blue collar labor, side jobs, stuff like that," he said. "A couple of months ago, I kept trying to find a job in a factory over and over again and couldn't, so I decided to check into the program."

Bryant said the Adult Education program is offered for free to anyone interested. For more information, call 1-855-516-0160.